Why Is Church Unity So Much More Than Friendships & Shared Personal Interests?

Text: Ephesians 4:1-6

In the name of Jesus: Amen.

I don’t feel like I fit in.  There are so many new people that I don’t know.  I don’t recognize familiar faces in the pews anymore. Maybe I don’t really fit in. 

* * * 

I don’t feel like I belong.  The music is different.  The feeling of the church isn’t what it used to be. It used to feel so warm, but not that feeling is gone. It just feels different.  

* * * 

I don’t think I am accepted anymore, for I don’t have any close friends in the church, and there aren’t any activities I can do with people my age.  There is nobody that I can relate to.  Maybe I’m not accepted.  

* * *

There is no doubt about it that friendships unite people together, and it sure feels nice to have friends in church. 

It also feels good to have the kind of music a person likes in church - to be able to sing familiar songs with familiar people.  

And, it sure feels great to have people of the same age and generation in church - it just feels right to be surrounded by people who have the same generational experiences, cultural references, and interests.  

However, is this what truly unites you to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church?  Is the true unity of the church based on friendships, common experiences, similar opinions, and warm feelings of acceptance?  Or is there something more – something more profound that unites us together here at St. Paul’s Lutheran?  Is there something more that makes you truly belong – truly unified here in this church?  

In today’s Epistle’s reading from Ephesians, the Apostle Paul speaks to the church of Ephesus and shares that the true unity within the church is produced by the Holy Spirit. In other words, the Apostle Paul is saying that you and I have been called to one hope, to one Lord, to one faith, to one baptism, and to one God and Father, who is over all and through all and in all.  Paul shares that the many parts are made one.  The many are grafted into a oneness.  To state it simply; you and I have been called together into this church through one baptism; we are not a collection of baptisms joined together by super glue.    You and I have been called together to the same confession of faith; we are not a bunch of different spiritual opinions held together by warm friendships.  You and I have been called to one hope; we are not a bunch of different individualized goals held together by wishful thinking.  

You see, the point that is being made is that when we exclusively base the church’s unity on friendships, common experiences, similar opinions, and warm feelings of acceptance, we are not only going the way of foolishness but are not going far enough.  That is to say; if only friendships unite us, then our unity is only as good as our relationships.  Indeed, if our unity is based on shared personal experiences and feelings of warm acceptance, what happens when our experiences and feelings reach a point of contention and disagreement?  Unfortunately, when unity is based on friendships, experiences, emotions, and opinions alone, the church’s unity is fragile at best.  

Tragically, we do not have to look far to see whole churches destroyed over disagreements over non-essential things.  It goes like this: if our unity in St. Paul’s Lutheran is not rooted deeply in Christ Jesus, then minor conflicts can easily destroy our unity.  More specifically, if unity at St. Paul’s Lutheran is based upon this physical building, then disagreements over the building’s carpet color could destroy church unity.  Or, if our unity is based on our feelings of acceptance, then the smallest offense or the most minor insensitive comment can make you think that they don’t belong.  

There is another problem with unity being based solely on relationships, personalities, and feelings. Suppose unity in St. Paul’s Lutheran is based on friendships, common historical ties, and joint preferences. In that case, newer individuals may find it difficult to connect to the existing relationships and historical ties in this church.  For example, what if a new person coming to our church does not have family connections, and what if they do not have common interests with you and me?  How will they belong?  What if a person has difficulty making friends or is an introvert?  How will they find unity here?  How will they find feelings of acceptance? Does a lack of family ties, a lack of common interests, or a person being an introvert prevent them and us from having true unity here at St. Paul’s Lutheran?

Dear Baptized Saints, the church’s unity neither exists nor is based on friendships, personal interests, generational preferences, and feelings (to name just a few).  Instead, real unity in the church is given and produced by the Holy Spirit.  Indeed, there is a better way to understand unity.  True unity in the church is much deeper and more profound!  

You see, what binds us together at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is the unity that the Holy Spirit brings about.  Even though we all have different backgrounds, vocations, last names, ages, and ethnicities, we are all called to one hope, one Lord, one faith, and one Baptism, by the Holy Spirit.  That is to say, Christ and His doctrine are not chopped up and divided up equally amongst us at St. Paul’s Lutheran.  We do not have multiple saviors, and we certainly do not have many conflicting doctrines of the Christian faith!  We do not have different individualistic baptisms, and we do not have individualistic confessions at St. Paul’s Lutheran. By no means!  

As Christians, in baptism, all of us were buried – together – into Christ’s death and resurrection.  Therefore, in our baptisms, we are united to the story of Christianity that extends to people on every single continent of every single ethnic background of every single generation.  Take a moment and look around at each other.  As members of St. Paul’s Lutheran, we join together in Christ as common sinners with a common Savior and with a common Christian confession.  That is unity!    

Now, we must pause to take note that we are not saying that friendships and family are sinful.  And, we are not saying that individuality should be erased.  No, we are united together in a family of faith which is more significant, deeper, and eternal.  We have a more profound, deeper, and richer unity than shifting feelings.  Yes, we have been united in our baptisms with our forefathers who went before us, forefathers such as Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Rahab, and the Apostles.  Unity in Christ provides a much more significant foundation for the church and connects us to what is called the universal church – the church that extends around the world and extends from generation to generation.  

Dear Baptized Saints, the Holy Spirit is the One that produces this unity for you.  It is not forced upon you, but rather, you are called into it.  Yes, the Holy Spirit has called you by the Gospel, enlightened you with His gifts, and sanctified you in the one true faith – uniting you to every single blood-bought Christian in this sanctuary. This kind of unity is so much more profound and eternal than mere friendships.  This unity of the Spirit is a greater foundation for the church than mere feelings.  This true unity grants the church the ability to weather the storms of personal struggles and inter-personal conflicts, and even dreaded church carpet wars.  

And so, this means that you – as a baptized Christian - belong to Christ’s church regardless of what you may feel, think, or imagine.  With everyone else here today, you have been baptized into the same baptism for the same forgiveness of sins so that you may hear and receive the same treasure of the Word and Sacraments with your church family.  And so, whether you are young or old, male or female, a new member or old member, white or black, shy or outgoing, quiet or loud, smart or simple – you are co-heirs of the kingdom of God through one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father.  Christian unity is in Christ, not merely in friendships, common experiences, similar opinions, and warm feelings of acceptance (as good as they may be).  

Baptized Saints, you belong. You are accepted, and you are home here at St. Paul’s Lutheran, for we – together – have Christ, and Christ has us.  

In the name of Jesus: Amen. 


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